A giant swim with a giant heart

When hundreds of swimmers take to the waves of Santa Monica Bay this Sunday morning for the OptimisSport Distance Swim Challenge, they’ll join a cause that began as the personal challenge of one man, but became a rallying point to protect and improve the lives of millions of young people.

The event, now in its second year, was conceived, literally by accident, by Alan Morelli, CEO of OptimisSport.

Morelli said a motorcycle spill 2½ years ago broke 17 of his bones, mangled his foot and severely injured his spine, leaving him unable to move his lower extremities.

At first unable to make it across the pool during rehabilitation, he nevertheless told friends that he would eventually swim across Santa Monica Bay. Incredulous, several replied that if he could do it, they would make the swim, too.

By 2010, that idea had coalesced into the inaugural Distance Swim Challenge to be held that October. Morelli was describing the event to a group of friends near his home in Pacific Palisades, when one of them, former NFL star Marcellus Wiley, became interested. Just one problem: Wiley had to learn to swim first.

They had just 11 weeks to prepare him to handle 1.2 miles of open water.

Then, the day of Wiley’s first swim lesson, tragedy struck across the country in Shreveport, Louisiana, where six African American teenagers drowned in the Red River during a family get-together.

The catastrophe drew new attention to the need to teach swimming to black children; studies have found that nearly 70% of African American young people have not been taught how to swim.

The news turned Wiley, a 6’4” former defensive lineman, into an (even more) unstoppable force. After intense training sessions, he able to complete the 1.2-mile swim, which he said was “like playing an entire NFL season in one day.” The effort drew national news coverage from ESPN, CNN and Oprah Radio.

Wiley will be watching from the sidelines this year because of a torn Achilles tendon. Also attending, according to Morelli, will be NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, USA soccer gold medalist Julie Foudy and Ous Melloulli, who won the gold in Beijing for the 1500 meter freestyle.

Morelli, on the other hand, will attempt to swim 12.6 miles–from Manhattan Beach to Venice, a distance he calls “insane.”

The swim takes place on Sunday, August 21. Register online by August 19 to participate in individual or team swims of 1.2, 2.4, 4.8, and 12.6 miles. The cost ranges from $55 to $440 depending on distance and the number of people in your group. Prior experience is a prerequisite for the longer swims. See the website for qualifying requirements, frequently asked questions and an athlete guide (PDF).

For people who aren’t ready for such grueling distances, the “Fun Swim” offers a leisurely way to get wet. A 500 meter swim will be held for ages 12 and up, and there is a “fun splash” for kids under 12.  Registration is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 18.

All events will be monitored by lifeguards, and all proceeds go to the charities Exceeding Expectations, Splashball and Save the Team. Registration starts at 6 a.m., and the swims last until the final stragglers are called ashore at 5 p.m. See the full schedule for specific race times and starting locations.

Those who prefer to stay dry can still check out the swim free of cost at Venice Beach near Navy Street, where all the swims finish.

Posted 8/18/11